One of China's most influential scientists said Friday that scientists who falsify their work should be seriously punished by the Chinese scientific community.

Lu Yongxiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said in an interview with Xinhua, that scientists need to be more self-disciplined to curb scientific misconduct, which occurred more frequently after China adopted the market-oriented economy.

"Ethics education, checks and balances, and outside supervision are necessary to cure the disease," said Lu, who also chairs the presidium of CAS academic divisions, the CAS's top governing body.

Although nationwide science advancement associations and many leading research entities have drafted regulations to combat plagiarism or falsification of research data, Lu said, the scientific community lacks effective checks and punishment for violators.

Lu blamed dishonest, fickle and inappropriate distribution of public funding for research for deteriorating ethical standards of scientists.

In 1996, the CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering each established ethics committees. In 2001, the CAS issued the CAS member codes for self-discipline. In early 2005, the CAS also specified how to deal with scientific misconduct of CAS members.

"Proven scientific misconduct and corruption among CAS members will be earnestly punished," Lu said.

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